Is this a gun?
- Thread starter lears75
- Start date
- Status
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
NO, it is not loaded.
Your photo's clearly show the barrel with no cartridge in it.
A loaded cartridge would be dropped in the barrels chamber.
Then, the firing mechanism screwed in behind it.
Then, assuming it is spring-loaded, pulling it back and letting it snap forward would drive the firing pin into the primer and fire the round.
Or hitting the striker against a hard surface would fire it and shoot your eye out!
But regardless of all that.
The thing is clearly a smooth-bore zip gun, and as such, falls under the ATF AOW law.
It needs to be either registered, or destroyed, ASAP.
rc
Your photo's clearly show the barrel with no cartridge in it.
A loaded cartridge would be dropped in the barrels chamber.
Then, the firing mechanism screwed in behind it.
Then, assuming it is spring-loaded, pulling it back and letting it snap forward would drive the firing pin into the primer and fire the round.
Or hitting the striker against a hard surface would fire it and shoot your eye out!
But regardless of all that.
The thing is clearly a smooth-bore zip gun, and as such, falls under the ATF AOW law.
It needs to be either registered, or destroyed, ASAP.
rc
Last edited:
KodiakBeer
member
Despite posts to the contrary, you can google up many examples of such guns. They are not NFA guns. They are not illegal. Just interesting old guns from another era.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I hate to disagree.
But the OP's knuckle gun is clearly chambered for something along the lines of a .38 Spl or .45 ACP cartridge. And it is clearly not rifled.
It is an AOW / zip gun.
rc
But the OP's knuckle gun is clearly chambered for something along the lines of a .38 Spl or .45 ACP cartridge. And it is clearly not rifled.
It is an AOW / zip gun.
rc
KodiakBeer
member
To be recognized as C&R items, 478.11 specifies that firearms must fall within one of the following categories:
1. Firearms which were manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, but not including replicas of such firearms;
2. Firearms which are certified by the curator of a municipal, State, or Federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest; and
3. Any other firearms which derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event.
1. Firearms which were manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, but not including replicas of such firearms;
2. Firearms which are certified by the curator of a municipal, State, or Federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest; and
3. Any other firearms which derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event.
sansone
Member
very interesting thread.. hope there is more info soon
Freedom_fighter_in_IL
Member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2010
- Messages
- 2,097
Kodiak, your example pictured has a trigger, The OP's example does not. It is a spring operated "zip gun" which is clearly defined as an AOW.
KodiakBeer
member
Is it associated with the period of WWI? Is it more than 50 years old? Does it derive a substantial part of its monetary value because it is novel, rare or bizarre?
Freedom_fighter_in_IL
Member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2010
- Messages
- 2,097
Which I am sorry to say does not negate the fact that is is spring operated not triggered. Not having a trigger is a BIG no no with the Feds.
KodiakBeer
member
It has a trigger. You just pop it with the heel of your hand rather than your finger. 
Actually, you may be right. I wouldn't want to argue that with the ATF.
Maybe you could de-activate it and just keep it as a non-firing curio?
Actually, you may be right. I wouldn't want to argue that with the ATF.
Maybe you could de-activate it and just keep it as a non-firing curio?
You've got stuff for three different guns, there. 15-round magazines for a .30 M1 Carbine, 12 gauge shotgun shells, and some .22 Short rimfire ammo. If you haven't found the guns to go with them, yet, I'd keep poking around in closets and behind the furniture.
Please regard the item as 'if' it were a Firearm, and, be sure never to direct the Muzzle toward anyone even if it is un-loaded...always keep the Muzzle directed downward and away from any people, animals, children, husbands...parts-of-self...
Looks very much like a launcher for a threaded flare cartridge to me. Similar items are still issued in the military today. A special purpose .38 caliber flare with a threaded end screws into the launcher and is fired by a spring loaded firing pin. The cartridge actually resides outside of the barrel when fired (only the threaded tail connects to the launcher).
If I'm not confused, the OPs gadget appears to show internal threads just inside the "muzzle". These would receive the "male" end of the flare cartridge (exactly as is done with cartridges for today's aircrew distress flare/signal guns). These modern military "pen-gun flare" sets are about the same size/shape (minus the welded knuckles).
I can see something like this being used during night trench raids to denote movement progress or to signal other events (like capture of a trench line, bunker, position etc.).
It's possibly a one-of-a-kind item built for one person's particular battlefield need.
If I'm not confused, the OPs gadget appears to show internal threads just inside the "muzzle". These would receive the "male" end of the flare cartridge (exactly as is done with cartridges for today's aircrew distress flare/signal guns). These modern military "pen-gun flare" sets are about the same size/shape (minus the welded knuckles).
I can see something like this being used during night trench raids to denote movement progress or to signal other events (like capture of a trench line, bunker, position etc.).
It's possibly a one-of-a-kind item built for one person's particular battlefield need.
- Status